Finishing Strong

We finished school yesterday and I have SO many posts to write to update you all! First, let's talk about Josh and his karate!

Josh has been taking karate at school for one of his electives. He has an hour after classes on Monday's and an hour during Friday enrichment. He has loved it! This past Friday he tested for his new belt - a white belt with a gold stripe. To achieve this new belt, he had to show mastery in some kicks and blocks and break a piece of wood with a certain type of kick. Since I was teaching during this time, a friend captured this movie for me:

Way to Go Joshua!!!!

Growing Up {Texas Style}

If you're in Texas there's two things you can be sure of.

1. You like meat. BBQ, Brisket, Steak, etc. There's so many steakhouses out here, it's funny!
2. You own a gun and know how to use it.

 

Many people know my husband and his affinity for firearms. We have decided it best to teach our children safety and proper use of these while they are young so that they are not "afraid" of them.

Josh has an airsoft gun that Jason goes outside with every once and a while with to teach him safety and proper handling. It's a little pistol with air propelled plastic bb's. They do not hurt if you are shot with it, but they are hard enough to shoot through a paper target. Josh has a LOT of fun practicing!

For a little guy, he does pretty good at shooting the target. He said he wants to be on "Top Shot" when he grows up. :)

Joshua Pre-K {Q1 Update}

The first quarter ended this past Friday at school (hence why there weren't many posts last week - teaching is great, except for the end of a grading period). Here's some highlights of the first eight weeks of Pre-K and the cool things Josh has done!

We made a bird nest for science for the letter "n" sound

"L" shaped pancakes for breakfast one morning to kick off our school day

Josh made a bird feeder in science

God takes care of us, just like He takes care of the animals.
So Josh made this to hang in our front yard.

"T" cookies for Joshie's class when they studied the "T" sound

Math activity involving addition and subtraction

Jenna likes to practice too. She's ready for Pre-K next year!

Studying is hard work, huh Pepper?!

We are excited about starting this second quarter at school. Josh is singing in our Christmas Banquet with his classmates and he is learning SO much!!! I'm very proud of him!

Pre-K {Update}

I love school pictures.

Especially now that I officially have a school-aged munchkin.

Yep, I'm a proud momma! <3

Precious

We have morning assembly each morning before class at school.

Usually, I am up on the second floor next to my door.

Waiting and watching my students.

Keeping an eye on Josh.

This day I was downstairs and I caught the most precious picture of my little Joshie....

F-I-V-E

Can you believe it? I have a FIVE year old? Time has sure flown by, but I've cherished every moment and look forward to more....

Dear Joshua Eric,

My heart grows with joy every time I look into your eyes and see the wonder and love in you. I see how you have compassion, are gentle, and speak with genuine love towards others. These are precious characteristics in you. You were created for a purpose. I know. I prayed for you.

We named you "Joshua" - which means "warrior for Christ". And that you are. You are bold in your faith already. You reflect Christ's character to everyone who meets you because you have His tender-heartedness.

I love being your mommy. I love that you still crawl up into my lap and give me "butterfly kisses" and tell me that you'll never be too old to be my "cuddle bug". I love the young boy you've become and the leader God is shaping your young heart to be. I love you....

I have so many words to write, but none will compare to the way you make my heart leap when you run up to me after school and jump into my arms to say, "Mommy, I missed you today."

Ki-Ya!

We're a month into school..... and it feels like it we are loving all the things we get to do! One of the "enrichment" activities Josh is in is Karate. He has it Monday's after classes (so he's VERY tired on these days, being in school from 8:30am to 4:15pm), and on Friday mornings. Yesterday, he earned a white stripe on his belt! I think you need two or three stripes to move up in rank. At any rate, he is not only doing well, but is having a BLAST!

The coolest thing is that he practices right below my classroom in the gym. It happens to also be when I am switching math classes, so I brought my camera to sneak a quick video of him in action:

Seasons....

Have you ever noticed that grocery stores have seasons? You have the Halloween season, Fall season, Christmas season, Valentines, St. Patrick's Day, Easter, Summer season and my favorite...Back to School Season!

My oldest, Josh (4) will be starting Pre-K at Legacy this fall and needless to say, he is SO excited! We start in mid-August, so stores are getting their school supplies sales on early....here's what we got!

Josh's favorite thing from the list

What kids doesn't love markers!

We got EVERYTHING on our list for his classroom AND even got a few khaki shorts for his uniform that were on clearance! Hey, wherever there's a deal - get it!

And of course, a video of Joshie practicing his name for Pre-K because he couldn't WAIT to write on the white board! LOL

Why is it that a haircut always makes my son look so much older??  :(